Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with leishmaniasis: case report

Abstract

Secondary hemophagocytic syndrome (sHLH) is a hyperinflammatory reaction which manifests with fever, cytopenia and organ damage. possible causes of sHLH include leishmaniasis.  The article describes a clinical case of sHLH in patient with visceral leishmaniasis. A female 30 years old developed hectic daily fever up to 40 °C, pancytopenia, cytolytic syndrome, hyperferritin- and hypertriglyceridemia, immunoglobulin G to capsid antigens of the Epstein-Barr virus, enlarged liver and spleen a one and a half month after returning from Spain. based on the HLH-2004 and H-Score criteria, a sHLH was diagnosed, presumably associated with the Epstein-Barr virus. Immunosuppressive treatment with dexamethasone, cyclosporin-A and etoposide was started under the HLH-2004 program. Apyrexia, reduction of splenomegaly and resolution of cytolysis were achieved. The fever resumed 20 days after the start of chemotherapy, the spleen enlarged again, and therefore a diagnostic splenectomy was performed. Morphological analysis of the removed spleen revealed leishmania. After amphotericin-B therapy, the patient recovered.  Chemotherapy of sHLH led to a temporary improvement for a period sufficient to verify the diagnosis and conducting of successful treatment.